Scouting: A bridge on the road of life

 

The transition towards adulthood and the ability to take on increased responsibilities for oneself and others, learning what we call today "lifeskills" has always been an area of interest in and around scouting through the various programs offered and in such things as the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme many take part in whilst in Scouts.

Recent research by the independent think tank Demos in what is called the Employability Badge Award report showed  young people who take part in extracurricular activities, such as Scouts, feel much more prepared for the world of work, and are gaining the skills that employers want right now.

These things include teamwork and leadership skills they learned in Scouts which many feel have helped in their careers together with transfer skills using skills gained in one role in a newer setting.

Some 53% of those who were in Scouts felt prepared to start work for the first time, compared to 37% people who didn’t take part in any extracurricular activities at school or college and taking that last point 78% of full-time employed people say extracurricular activities had a big impact on their lives, compared to 62% of unemployed people.

Building on the known advantages in such milestones in a persons life as gaining and holding down your first job from what we learn as older scouts will be something I am sure will be worked upon to even better equip our children and young people be successful, balenced and confident adults.